Luminous Landscape Forum

Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: larkis on July 02, 2018, 03:50:32 pm

Title: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: larkis on July 02, 2018, 03:50:32 pm
I have not switched to MK ink since I got the printer and would like to do it now. The original matte black ink cartridge the printer came with is still installed. Has anyone tried doing this ? Can I take it out and agitate it in case the pigment settled ? I don't want to brick my printer so any tips would be great.
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: I.T. Supplies on July 02, 2018, 05:12:11 pm
This would be something to clarify with Epson.  For that long, I couldn't tell you if it would still work properly or not.

562-276-1305 Epson Support line
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: Wayne Fox on July 02, 2018, 08:21:37 pm
I doubt that if you agitated carefully it would ruin the head.  But personally if it's been sitting that long, considering it's matt and not PK I wouldn't take a chance.  A 150ml one is about $90.
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: Garnick on July 02, 2018, 08:22:07 pm
I have not switched to MK ink since I got the printer and would like to do it now. The original matte black ink cartridge the printer came with is still installed. Has anyone tried doing this ? Can I take it out and agitate it in case the pigment settled ? I don't want to brick my printer so any tips would be great.

Even though it's very unlikely that the pigments have settled, there is absolutely no reason why you cannot pull the cart, agitate it lightly and then reinstall it and print.  If you do want to agitate, I would advise doing it before you make the switch to MK.  It's very unusual that the pigments would "settle", since the natural sway of the printer while in use has an agitating effect in itself.  However, it certainly cannot due any harm to agitate manually if you feel you must.  And of course keep in mind that agitating an ink cart does NOT mean shaking it vigorously.  Simply roll it over gently, end over end and sideways as well, for half a minute or so.

Gary     
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: larkis on July 03, 2018, 01:09:34 am
I have an unopened MK cartridge that I bought at the same time as the printer, so it's as old as the starter cartridge. I assume because it has been unopened it would not have dried. Are there other factors to consider ?
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: Garnick on July 03, 2018, 06:13:00 am
I have an unopened MK cartridge that I bought at the same time as the printer, so it's as old as the starter cartridge. I assume because it has been unopened it would not have dried. Are there other factors to consider ?

In that case I would definitely advise agitating the unopened cart before installing it in the printer, and on a regular basis as well, perhaps monthly, since it is not being "agitated" in the printer.  And again, with the cart now installed, you will cause no damage by removing and gently agitating the cart and then reinstalling it.  Obviously you would be running a nozzle check following the MK switch, and very likely a cleaning cycle will be initiated at that point.  If the nozzle check is showing no problems I would perhaps create an 8x10 with black only and print that, just to make sure the MK is in use and flowing properly.  Also, create a black ramp from solid black to white and print it. That should exhibit any banding issues that might occur.

Gary 
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: Paul Roark on July 03, 2018, 10:29:04 am
I tend to follow the advice I once received from an ink company: agitate the wide format Epson carts, particularly the MK, in the evening and don't turn the printer on until the next morning, so that any problematic agglomerations have time to sink to the bottom of the cart and are not pulled into the printer when it is tuned on.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com
Title: Re: P9000 ink swap after 3 years
Post by: Garnick on July 03, 2018, 02:59:03 pm
I tend to follow the advice I once received from an ink company: agitate the wide format Epson carts, particularly the MK, in the evening and don't turn the printer on until the next morning, so that any problematic agglomerations have time to sink to the bottom of the cart and are not pulled into the printer when it is tuned on.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com

Very interesting Paul.  Thanks for that info.  How long ago did you have that conversation?  Just wondering.  I think I might introduce that routine when installing a new MK cart, can't hurt.

Gary